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Itinerary (3rd attempt)

Posted by (NY) on

Hi all, You have all given me some great feedback (made me totally re-think things).

We will arrive in Milan October 3rd at 12 in the afternoon from JFK. I plan on going straight to Venice & spend 3 nights. Then onto Florence. Where I am thinking of staying here 5 nights, but I am wondering should I stay 4 nights & 1 night in Siena. Then back to Milan 1 night (via Florence). Our flight leaves late afternoon Thursday.

Originally, I was going to fly in/out of Rome, but found a really great deal in/out of Milan. My focus for this trip is really to see Tuscany (hence 5 nights). The problem is, the more I research & more suggestions I got, the more I change my mind. Venice never interested me, now I HAVE to see it. We plan on seeing the islands and just strolling around Venice, getting lost. We will save the museums for Florence. I also thought we would rent a car & drive around Tuscany. But with all the great advise, I decided I could do a tour & maybe even rent a car one day & do the RS driving tour.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Posted by
1079 posts

I would plan on spending at least one night in Siena. Siena's Duomo was one of the most beautiful cathedral I have seen in Europe. You will love Venice. I think you are very smart not to try and see too many cities in your 10 days. You will have a great vacation!

Posted by
7999 posts

Venice is so unique; you'll love your 3 nights there! I would stay overnight in Siena as you're thinking. Check out the Siena Palio on-line before you go to learn what makes this town unique, especially when you arrive & see The Campo (which is a great place to relax & have a gelato, too!)

Posted by
336 posts

If your goal is Tuscany, i would spend 3 nights in Florence and 2 around Siena. It won't be enough to see the greatness of Siena, and all of the wonderfull small towns and villages of Tuscany, but it's better I think.
The must sees are
Siena should take you 3/4 of a day maybe(this is different for everyone though) if you have time, see either San Gimignano(early morning or night as there is way too many tourists) or Volterra. Monterigionni is close, very small but so charming
The trio of Pienza, Montepulciano and Montalcino. Driving in that region is absolutly wonderful.
Venice 3 nights should be good to see a good chunk including Murano and Burano

Posted by
285 posts

Venice, Florence, and Tuscany. This is ideal. I would 3 3 in Florence/2 Sienna or similar. Driving in Tuscany is a joy!

Posted by
1175 posts

If you are allocating 5 nights for "Florence", you could do:

  1. 2 nights Florence and 3 in the Tuscan countryside, whether it is Siena with a drive to Pienza, and all points around there OR 3 nights at an agriturismo and drive to all the villages you wish to discover.
  2. 3 nights Florence and 2 in the Tuscan countryside.

Look at what truly interests you - Tuscan villages or Florence proper.

You can't go wrong with either - both locations are delightful !

Posted by
120 posts

Thank you all for affirming my itinerary & giving me the wonderful ideas about Siena! I like that plan a lot better. 3N Venice, 3 Florence & 2 Siena. Now that's what I am going for! On to decided where to stay, now that I FINALLY has an itinerary!

Posted by
2518 posts

Katie,
I agree with Yosemite that Siena's cathedral is one of the best in Europe. Even the floors are magnificent and there is a statue of Paul (I think) by Michelangelo which is superb. Siena is also an easily walkable city and the campo with its restaurants invites you to relax and enjoy your meal as well as people watching.
I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip.

Judy B

Posted by
7175 posts

I'd keep it simple with Siena as a day trip. Consider a day to Lake Como.

October
3. Arrive Milan. Train to Venice (3N)
4.5. Venice
6. Train to Florence (4N)
7. Florence
8. Day trip to Siena
9. More Florence, or day trip to Pisa & Lucca
10. Train to Milan (2N)
11. Day trip to Lake Como
12. Depart Milan

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